Apparatus for heat treating rails



Oct. 11, 1932. GRAHAM I I 1,882,417

APPARATUS FOR HEAT TREATING RAILS 3 Shegts-Sheet Filed Nov. 30, 1951 I INVENTOR: fiede'mck/fl. Gmam, BY

A TTORNEYS.

WITNESSES: R

Oct. 11, 1932. F. M. GRAHAM I APPARATUS FOR HEAT TREATING RAILS Filed Nov. 50, 1931 WIIIIIWIII M rlll'llllIl/l fuul l u l uz IN VEN TOR fiedez'z'cfifll. Graham A TTORN E YS WITNESSES: M gaaz Oct. 11, 1932. M H M 1,882,417

APPARATUS FOR HEAT TREATING RAILS Filed Nov. 30, 1951 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR: fiedez'zb/ifl. Gram,

7 ATTORNEY 79 7 v WITNESSES: 76

Patented Get. 11, 1932 PATENT OFFICE! FREDERICK I. GRAHAM, OI HOLLIDAYSBUEG, PENNSYL ANIA.

APPARATUS FOR HEAT TREATING RAILS Application ma November so, 1031. Serial in. 571,095.

My invention relates to apparatus for heattreating rails, and more particularly to a machine which in its preferred form is adapted to be propelled along a track from 6 one rail joint to another and to be halted momentarily at the joints for the applica tion of a heating medium, such as an oxyacetylene flame, to the rail surface areas at each side thereof.

Heretofore it has been proposed to heattreat rail ends, with the rails in track, for the purpose of reducing batter. The battering of rails at the joints is commonly attributed to the very high unit pressure between passing wheels and the rail, causing cold flow of the metal at the surface of the rail. Such cold flowing of the wearing surface is particularly noticeable in heavy traflic territory, and results in a rolled-over edge at the gage side throughout the length of the rail. At rail ends this condition is more pronounced by reason of the increased unit pressure. Heat-treatment by means of a hand torch or the like has therefore been resorted to for the purpose of making the metal more resistant to cold flowing. To be effective, the heat-treatment should be carried out in such a manner as to produce a uniform temperature over a constant area.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provlde an apparatus which is adapted to be positioned at a rail joint, or at a particular portion of a rail, and in the operation of which a flame is applied to the 35 rail wearing surface at a proper rate of heating, the flame being maintained at a constant distance from the wearing surface and confined as to lateral and longitudinal movement to a definite predetermined area.

A more specific object of the invention is to incorporate in such an apparatus means for controlling its various functions which are so arranged as to permit the. operator to conduct the heat-treatment of a rail joint with the utmost facility and in the shortest possible time.

Other more specific objects and advantages characterizing my invention will become more a parent from the description hereinafter 0 a preferred embodiment or example thereof, the description having reference to the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

Fig. I represents a side elevation of a hand propelled machine-embodying my invention, showin its application to a rail 'oint.

Fig. I represents an enlarge view of a portion of the same,'showing the torch and the pilot light used for its ignition, taken as indicated by the lines 11-11 of Fig. V. 5

Fig. III represents an enlar ed end view, taken generally as indicated y the lines III- III of Fig. I, but with certain portions broken away, showing the railclamping device which determines the position of the 5 machine with respect to the rails.

Fig. IV represents an enlarged plan view of the machine with certain parts shown in section as indicated by the lines IV--IV of Fig. V.

Fig. V represents an enlarged side elevation of portions of the machine with certain of the parts shown in section as indicated by the lines VV of Fig. IV.

Fig. VI represents a fragmentary portion of the frame of the machine, showing its construction at the point where it carries the torch.

Fig. VII represents a cross-section of the machine taken as indicatedby the lines VII-- VII of Fig. V. a

Fig. VIII represents a plan view of the handle for propelling the machine showing the controls mounted thereon.

Figs. IX and X represent side elevations 35 of the handle with a plate at the side thereof removed to show the control levers in difierent positions.

Fig. XI represents a section of the rail clamping device, taken as indicated by the no lines XIXI of Fig. IV; and,

Fig. XII represents a plan view of a porrion of the handle of the machine, showing the connections to which gas conductors are applied.

In the example of my invention selected for ilustration, the machine comprises, as shown in Fig. I, a wheeled frame consisting generally of a stationary member 1, a movable member'2 pivoted thereon, and a torch pipe 100 which is rigidly attached to the movable member 2 and pivotally connected to the stationary member 1. All of these parts may conveniently take the form of pipe sections, and it will be readily apparent that the shape of the frame admits of considerable variation. In the present example, however, the machine is equipped with two double-flanged wheels 4 carried by legs 5 and 6 which are attached respectively to the front and rear ends of the stationary member 1 of the frame. Thus the machine is adapted to be propelled along one of the rails 7 of a track.

The torch comprises the bent pipe 3 with a burner or nozzle 8 at one end thereof and an extension 9, in the form of a barrel, at the other end, the barrel 9 constituting a mixing chamber and having two tube connections 10,

as shown in Fig. XII, throughwhich oxygen and acetylene gases are supplied. Tanks filled with these gases and having flexible tubes which are joined to the connections 10 may be carried on a push car ahead of or behind the ihachine. Preferably, I employ two heat treating machines, one at each side of the track,ahead of the tank car, and two additional machines behind the tank car. Before entering the torch barrel or mixing chamber 9, the gases pass through valves 11 which P regulate the relative proportions thereof. The flow of the combined gases is controlled by a hand lever 12 which I conveniently term the torch control lever and which actuates an additional valve 13. At the point where the torch pipe 3 passes through the stationary member 1 of the frame, the latter element is cut away as indicated at 14 in Fig. VI and the resulting gap is bridged by a U-shaped connecting member 15. Within the hollow ends 16 at the cut away portion of the frame member 1, a swivel joint 17 in the form of a T is inserted, this part having an opening through which the torch pipe 3 passesand having opposed clamping pieces 18 which are drawn together about the torch pipe 3 by a bolt 19 to hold the same in place. joint 17 may be inserted within the hollow ends 16 of the separated portions of the frame member 1 prior to welding the U-shaped connecting piece thereto. Accordingly, the

' torch pipe 3 is pivotally connected to the stationary frame member 1 in such manner that the nozzle may be swung laterally from one side of the underlying rail head to the other, and the nozzle is maintained at a fixed distance vertically from the wearing surface of the rail.

As shown in Figs. IV and V, swinging movement of the torch pipe 3 is limited by" means of a plunger 20 which engages in an I arcuate slot 21 of a lug 22 on the swivel joint 17. The plunger 20 is urged toward the slot 21 by means of a spring 23 within a cylindrical housing 24. The plunger housing 24 is rigidly attached'to the stationary frame The swivel 1 laterally in one direction, but is restrained.

from movement in the other direction by a stop 27 on the U-shaped connecting piece 15. While the plunger 20 is engaged within the slot 21, swinging movement of the torch pipe 3 is limited in both directions, and the slot 21 is so designed that, with the torch pipe 3 clamped in a position such that its nozzle 8 is at the desired vertical distance from the wearing surface of the underlying rail, lateral movement of the nozzle is restricted to the extent'that the flame issuing therefrom cannot pass beyond the sides of the rail head.

As shown in Fig. V a flatplate 28 is formed integrally with theswivel joint 17, the plate having a collar 28a which is free to'turn about the stationary frame member 1. Upon the flat plate 28 a water reservoir 29 is mounted, water being preferably used as the medium for quenching the portions of the rails to which heat has been applied. At the base of the reservoir 29 there is a funnel shaped outlet 30 which fits within a correspondingly shaped opening in the reservoir'supporting plate 28. The outlet 30 leads through a short ipe section 31 to a manifold 32, which is attached to the torch pipe 3 by means of a clamp 96, and from t ence through spouts 33, which are disposed adjacent to the torch nozzle 8, to the rails. A valve 34 is seated in the reservoir outlet 30 and held in place by means of a spring 35 and a horizontal plate 36. The plate 36 together with a similar horizontal plate 37 serves as a guide for the valve stem 38. At the top of the reservoir 29 surge plates 39 are provided which are formed to permit the filling of the reservoir through the openings 40 while preventing the water from splashing out. To the upper end of the valve stem 38 there is attached one arm of a bell crank lever 41 which is fulcrumed at 42. The other arm of the bell crank lever 41 is 'oined to a valve actuating rod43 by a turnbuckle 44 which permits an adjustment of the length of the rod 43.

1 On the torch extension 9, as clearly shown in Figs. VIII, IX and X, there is a bell crank lever 44, to one arm 45 of which is attached the valve actuating rod 43. The bell crank lever 44 is fulcrumed on a pin 46 which is disposed between two plates 47 and 48. One such plate 47 is secured to the torch barrel 9 by straps 49 and the other plate is spaced outward therefrom by bolts 50. The arm 51 of the lever 44 is turned to extend horizontally beneath thetorch barrel 9 where it is adapted to be engaged by the torch control lever 12. When the control lever 12 is ressed against the torch barrel 9, it is caught in place by the knob 52 of the spring latch 53 which passes through an opening 54 in the control lever. At the same time the arm 51 of the bell crank lever '44 is locked, as shown in Fig. IX, by the tongue55 at the end of the torch control lever. The setting ofrthe valve 34 of the water reservoir-29 is accomplished by means of the'hand lever 56 which I conveniently term the quench. .control lever.

adjacent to the nozzle 8.

When the machine is 1 I in which situation the valve 34 of the water a reservoir 29is closed, and the valve 13, which controls admission of the; combined gases to the torch barrel, is also closed. When the torch is readyfor operation, the torch control handle 12 is pressed toward the barrel 9 until the knob 52 of the spring latch 53' causes the handle to lock, whereupon the torch valve 13 opens and the nozzle is i nitedv t. the

fromthe pilot light at the tip 62.. same time the arm 51 of the bell crank lever 44 is locked by the tongue 55 of the torch control lever 12. The operator then, moves the quench control lever 56 downward to horizontal position which causes the spring 58 to be placed under tension, ,At this 7 Ipoint I all of the parts occupy the positions s own in F ig. IX. The torch valve 13 is en; the reservoir valve 34 is closed; and the quench control lever 56is set'so that upon release of the torch control lever 12, the reservoir j valve 34 will be raised from its seat. a

When the heat-treatment is concluded, the operator merely presses th'eknob 52 of the spring latch 53. y This causesfthe torch control lever 12 to drop down, closing the valve l3 and releasing the arm 51of the bell crank lever 44. Thereupon the arm of the bell crank lever 44 is drawn back by the spring 58 (the tension of which is'greater than the pressure exerted by the valve spring 35 in the water reservoir 29) and the valve, '34 is raised from its seat through the action of the valve actuating rod 43, the bell crank lever 41 and the valve stem 38. Accordingly, at this point all of the arts occupy the positions shown in Fig. The torch valve 13 is closed; the reservoir valve 34 is open; and the quench controllever1 needs to be reset before further use of the, machine.

After the desired amount of water has been' discharged from the reservoir 29 to complete Liv the quenching operation, the operator closes the reservoir valve 34 by rais ng the quench control handle56 to its original position indicated in broken lines inFig. X.- j p From the rear leg Got the machine, there ig. I l to a pipe 61 which carries the gas to'a tip 62 v dle the various .control levers occupy the positions shown in Fig.

projects rearward a pipe 63 to which there is connected by a hinge64, as shownin FigrV, a

flat bar :65 which .I" conveniently term a measuring bar; The measuring-bar 65 is provided with stops 66, as shown inFig. IV,

which are spaced apart at a distance of, say, four inches, theexact amount being determined by experience. Themeasuring bar 65 passes through a rectangular slot 67 in a rail clamping device, which is comprehensively designated by the numeral 68 and the details of which are shown in Figs. III, V andXI. The rail clam ing device 68 comprises a yoke 69 having ro lers 70 which are adapted to bear upon the wearin surface of the rails, stationary clamp mem ers 71 at'on'e side of the yoke, and ajmovabl'e clamp member 72 at the other side." Themovable clamp member 72is in the for-mot a plate'free tomove on the yoke 69 and normally held, away from the rail headby a sprin 73. Todraw themovable clamp'member 2 toward the rail head, there is utilized a foot pedal 74 having a'disc 75 eccentrically mounted on the yoke 69, as shown in Fig. XI, by a pin 76. The'disc 75 is providedwith a slot 77 within which the pin 7 6 is accommodated and is further provided'with acavity' 7 8 within which a spring 79 ishoused, the spring being disposed between the pin 76 and thebase of the cavity 78. Inan obvious manner, by pressing down the foot pedal 74, the movable clamp member 72 is urged inward toward the rail head and toward the opposite stationary clamp members 71. Variations in the width of the rail head do not affect the operation of the device, for the presence of the slot'77 and spring 79 permits the foot pedal tobe fully depressed with the disc 75 turningabout a movable point.

Whentherail clamping device 68 hasbeen attached to a rail, movement of the frame 1 along therails is limited to the distance between the stops 66 on the measuring bar. The measuring bar 65 'is' also provided with a hole, 80 md-waybet-ween the stops 66. By means of a dog 81 and a plunger 82 operated thereby, the measuring bar 65 may be rigidly attachedto the clamping device. \Vhen the dog 81 is in the positlon shown in Fig. V, the lunger 82is pressed bya spring 83 into the liole 80. To release the "plunger the dog 81 is turned to the position shown in Fig. I, the angular portion 84 of the dog being so formed with respect to the pivotal point 85 at whic'hthe plunger is connectedthat the movement of the dog from one position to the other causes the plunger to be raised a small distance and permits the measuring bar 65 to slide freely in the slot 67 I The movable frame member. 2 is rigidly attached by a band 86 to the torch'pipe 3, but is rotatably m'ounted on a shaft 87 at the rear end of the stationary member 1, as shown inFig. V, and securedthereonby anut 88 V the stationary frame member 1.

and Washer 59. I frame member 2 is formed with an upstanding semi-circular lug 90, as illustrated in Fig. VII, there being a corresponding la 91 on the stationary part of the frame. piece 92 is pivoted at WVhen the 92,is moved to the position locking pieee v V, it enters a notch95 1n the shown in Fig.

lug 90 and causes the movable frame member measuring bar may be folded about the hinge 6% so as to be clear of the rails, or they may be trailed in the rear, with the rollers 70 engaging the rails. The stationary and movable elements of the frame arelocked together by the locking piece 92. The con-" trols for the torch and reservoir are in the position shownin Fig; I. Upon arrival at the rail joint to be treated, the measuring bar is adjusted with respect to the clamping device 68 so that the plunger 82 enters the hole 80 and the dogSl assumes the position shown in Fig. V. Thereupon the machine is progressed to a point where the nozzle 8 is directly above a gap between adjoining rail ends of a rail joint. lVith the machine so positioned, the clamping device 68 is anchored to the rail by pressing the foot pedal 74 downward. e I j The dog 81 is then turned to the position shown in Fig. I, which permits the measuring bar 65 to slide freelywithin the clamp- 1 ing device. Thereupon the locking piece 92 is moved to the position shown in Fig. I, permitting the torch pipe 3 to swing laterally about the stationary frame member 1 within.

certain limits governed by the permissible movement of the plunger 20 within the arcuate slot 21. It is assumed that the nozzle 8 has been previously adjusted so that it clears the wearing surface of the rails by the desired distance which may be determined f bytests. Vith the machine prepared in this manner for the application of the oxyacetylene flame to the rail ends, it will he particularly noted that the operator, having hold of the torch barrel 9 can only cause the nozzle 8 to be moved within certain limits. Longitudinal movement of the nozzle is limited by the travel of themeasuring bar 65 within the clamping device to, say, two inches at each side of the gap between the rails. Lateral movement of the nozzle is .The base of the movable A ocking 93 on a bracket 94 of limited by the travel of the plunger 20 within the arcuate slot 21 which restricts the flame to the s ace between opposite sides of the rail he'a Accordingly, the application of the flame is confined to 'a predetermined rail surface area. Before applying the heat-treatment to a rail joint, it' is desirable to chamfer the corners of the rail ends and to fill the gap between rail ends with moist fireclay, which prevents fusion and severe heat application at sharp corners, and hence prevents the corners from becomin brittle to the extent that they are likely to c ip off in track service.

The operation of the torch has been previousl described with reference to the description of the control levers. It is to be noted, however, that the best results are obtained when the heat is applied to a definite area at a uniform temperature. To accomplish a uniform heating, a fixed pressure gas is used. Upon arriving at the desired temperature to which the rails are to be heated, it

is important that the water used for quenching should be applied immediately. This is accomplished by interlocking the control device which operates the torch with the control device which operates the reservoir valve 34 as explained above.

It will be apparent from the above description that numerous changes may be made in the form of the apparatus herein described and in the method of using the same without departingfrom the spirit of my invention as ('lefinedin'the annexed claims.

Having thus described my invention, I,

claim: I

v Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a frame, a nozzle on said frame for applying a heating medium to a rail surface, and means including a rail clamping device whereby longitudinal movement of said nozzle with respect to the rail may be limited to a predetermined distance.

2. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a frame, a nozzle on said frame for applying a heating medium to a rail surface, and means including a rail clamping device whereby said frame may be rigidly attached to the rail.

. ihApparatu's for heat-treating rails comprising a frame, a nozzle on said frame for applying a heating medium to a rail surface, means adapted for attachment to the .rail for limiting longitudinal movement of the nozzle with respect thereto, and means for limiting lateral movement of said nozzle whereby the application of the heating medium is confined to a predetermined rail surface area. Y

4. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a wheeled frame adapted to be propelled along a rail, a torch for applying a flame'to the rail, said torch being movably mounted on said frame, means for clamping said frame to the rail, and means whereby said torch may be swung laterally between predetermined limits to vary the point of application of the flame.

5. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a wheeled frame adapted to be propelled along a rail, a torch pivotally mounted on the frame and having a nozzle for applying a flame to the rail head, a handle whereby said torch may be swung laterally, and means for limiting the extent of lateral motion so that the flame is confined between the sides of the rail head.

6. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a wheeled frame adapted to be handpropelled along a rail, a torch mounted on the frame having a nozzle for applying a flame to the rails, and having an extension affording a handle for the propulsion of the frame, said handle having controls thereon for the operation of the torch.

7. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a wheeled frame adapted to be hand propelled along a rail, a torch pivotally mounted on the frame having a nozzle for applying a flame to the rails and having an extension affording a handle for the propulsion of the frame, said handle having controls thereon for the operation of the torch, and means for locking the torch against movement with relation to the frame.

8. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a wheeled frame adapted to be handpropelled along one of the rails of a track, a torch pivotally mounted on the frame having a nozzle for applying a flame to the rails and having an extension affording a handle for the propulsion of the frame, means for clamping said frame to a rail, and means for locking the torch against movement with relation to the frame.

9. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a frame with a stationary part including wheels for engaging an underlying rail and means adapted for attachment to the rail to maintain said stationary part in vertical position thereon, and a movable part pivoted on said stationary part and terminating in a handle for the propulsion of the frame, said movable part including a nozzle for applying a flameto the rail; and means for locking the movable part of said frame to the stationary part.

10. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a wheeled frame adapted to be handpropelled along a rail, a torch mounted on the frame having a nozzle for applying a flame to the rail and having an extension affording a handle for the propulsion of the frame, and a reservoir on said frame having an outlet for discharging a quenching medium, said handle having thereon means for controlling the operation of the torch and means for controlling the discharge from said reservoir.

11. A aratus for heat-treatin rails com- 5 prising a frame, a torch mounted onthe frame having a nozzle for applying a heating medium to the rail, and a reservoir on said frame having an outlet for discharging a quenching medium ad aCent to sa d nozzle, means for controll ng the operatlon of sald torch, and means for controlling the dis charge from said reservoir, said torch and reservoir control means being located on said frame at a point remote from said nozzle and being so interlocked that the discharge of the'quenchingmedium is automatically effected when the heating medium isshut off,

12. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comreservoir valve, said levers being located on said frame at a point remote from said nozzle and being so interlocked that the dis charge of the quenching medium is automatically effected when the heating medium is shut ofl.

13. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a wheeled frame adapted to be propelled along a rail, a torch mounted on the frame having a nozzle for applying a heating medium to the rail and having an extension affording a handle for the propulsion of the frame, a reservoir on said frame having an outlet for discharging a quenching medium adjacent to said nozzle and having a valve at said outlet, a lever on said handle for controlling the operation of the torch, and an additional lever on said handle for controlling the operation of said reservoir valve, said levers being so interlocked that the discharge of the quenching medium is automatically effected when the heating medium is shut off.

14. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a wheeled frame, means on said frame for applying a heating medium to a rail surface, a rail clamping device, a measuring bar slidably connecting said frame and rail clamping device, and stops associated with said measuring bar whereby relative movement between said frame and rail clamping device is limited to a predetermined distance.

15. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a wheeled-frame, means on said frame for applying a heating medium to a rail surface, a; rail clamping'device, a measuring bar slidably connecting said frame and rail clamping device, and a lock associated with said measuring bar whereby said frame may be rigidly attached to the clamping device.

16. Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a wheeled frame, means on said frame for applying a heating medium to a. ra l sur- 7 face,varail clamping device, a bar slidably connecting saidframe and rail clamping device, means associated with said measuring bar for limitin relative movement between said frame an rail, and means associated with said bar for locking said frame to said clamping device. a

10 17 Apparatus for heat-treating rails comprising a wheeled frame, means'on said frame for applying a heating medium to a rail surface, a rail clamping device, a perforated bar slidably connecting said frame and rail clamping device, means associated with said measuring bar for limiting relative movement between said frame and rail, and a pin adapted to pass through a perforation in said bar for rigidly attaching said frame to said 20 clamping device;

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Altoona, Pennsylvania, this 16th day of November, 1931.

FREDERICK M. GRAHAM. e 

